Kuala lumpur: The Majlis Amanah Rakyat (MARA) Act 1966 is slated for amendment to ensure the agency maintains its relevance and adheres to principles of good governance, as stated by Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi. The Deputy Prime Minister emphasized the necessity of this move, highlighting the importance of managing MARA’s substantial assets, which exceed RM23 billion, effectively.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Ahmad Zahid underscored the need for MARA to return to its foundational core business objectives, rectifying past leadership errors. He expressed confidence that with its current assets, investments, and profits, MARA is poised to independently fund initiatives outlined by the Bumiputera Economic Congress. He shared these insights following the Ministry of Rural and Regional Development’s monthly assembly.

Ahmad Zahid elaborated that MARA has been allocated a six-month period to draft the bill for the proposed amendment. In conjunction with this legislative effort, he announced that the amendment to the Orang Asli Act 1954 is nearing completion, having secured approval from state governments. This particular amendment seeks to safeguard and promote the rights of the Orang Asli community, addressing critical areas such as land, education, health, economy, leadership, infrastructure, and culture.

The Deputy Prime Minister stressed the significance of state government approval, given the amendment’s implications for land matters and other issues within their jurisdiction. He confirmed that discussions at the KKDW and Department of Orang Asli Development (JAKOA) levels have been resolved, and the proposal was presented at the recent Menteri Besar Conference.